slack

slack-jawed

1. With one's mouth hanging open, as due to surprise or dim-wittedness. I had to clear away the people who were standing slack-jawed on the side of the road, staring at the car wreck.

2. Moronic; very slow or dim-witted. I tried asking for directions at the gas station, but there was just some slack-jawed yokel working behind the counter.

cut (one) some slack

To allow one more latitude or freedom than usual. Primarily heard in US, Australia. Oh, you know I never make requests like this, cut me some slack.A: "I can't believe she talked to me like that!" B: "You need to cut her some slack—she's grieving right now."

pick up the slack

To do an extra amount of work that someone else is unable or unwilling to do. I'm going to need you to pick up the slack around the house when the baby arrives, because I'm going to literally have my hands full.The fourth member of our team has been totally unreliable, so the rest of us have had to pick up the slack.

take up the slack

To do an extra amount of work that someone else is unable or unwilling to do. I'm going to need you to take up the slack around the house when the baby arrives, because I'm going to literally have my hands full.The fourth member of our team has been totally unreliable, so the rest of us have had to take up the slack.

cut someone a break

and cut someone some slack

Sl., to give someone a break; to allow someone a reprieve from the consequences of an action. Come on, cut me a break! I'm a good guy!I was only a few minutes late! Cut me a break! Don't dock my pay!Cut me some slack and I'll be sure to pay you all I owe in a month.

cut someone some slack

INFORMAL

If you cut someone some slack, you are less critical of their behaviour or performance than usual because you know they are in a difficult situation. When you're new at a job, colleagues and bosses cut you some slack. They forgive minor mistakes because you're new. Note: This expression is variable. Instead of some, people sometimes use words such as a little or a lot of. She's still upset about her dad. Cut her a little slack.

take up the slack

or

pick up the slack

INFORMAL

COMMON If someone or something takes up the slack or picks up the slack, they reduce the bad effect of something by providing something extra. With the export market in decline, it is hoped that the tourist trade will take up the slack.We have three members of staff absent and no one to pick up the slack. Note: If you take up the slack in a rope, you tighten it.

take (or pick) up the slack

cut somebody some ˈslack

(informal, especially American English) make things easier than usual for somebody; allow somebody more freedom to do things than they would normally have: I know I made a mistake, but it’s my first week on the job, so cut me some slack, OK?

cut someone a break

and cut someone some slack

tv. to give someone a break; to allow someone a reprieve from the consequences of an action. Come on! Cut me a break! I won’t do it again! Cut me some slack and I’ll be sure to pay you all I owe in a month.

Sansabelt slacks is and continues to be our major product," says Jerry McCann, vice president of marketing.

McGue ordered a numbers study to obtain an accurate record of who was buying his firm's slacks and just what direction his company should pursue in the future.

The biggest complaint about our slacks was that they didn't feature belt loops," says McCann.

While one in three men in the country buy our better slacks between the waist sizes of 39 and 60, at a price of about $40, we want to educate our retailers and their employees to encourage to sell our products to the 18-to-40 age bracket," McCann says.

The main market for better men's slacks is in the southeast, southwest and middle sections of the country where we really dominate, but we want even more of the market.

The Men's and Boys' Cut and Sew Trouser, Slack, and Jean Manufacturing Industry report is an in-depth analysis of the industry's structure, competitive landscape, internal financial performance, and trends and opportunities.

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